The development of domestic small arms does not stop, and not so long ago, interesting promising samples were again presented. Using well-known ideas or taking existing designs as a basis, Russian gunsmiths create new versions of weapons. So, at the end of May, a number of new sniper rifles were presented for the first time, one of which was a product with the factory designation OTs-129.
As it is clear from the letters in the name, the OTs-129 sniper rifle was developed by specialists from the Central Design Bureau of Sports and Hunting Weapons (TsKIB SOO) from Tula, which is a branch of the Instrument Design Bureau and is part of the High Precision Complexes organization. The Tula Design Bureau has long been known for its development of small arms of various classes, including sniper rifles. As follows from the available data, the new OTs-129 project, unlike some other recent developments, was not created in order to modernize existing samples.
Apparently, the development of a new type of sniper rifle started not too long ago, but by now the project has left the early stages and was brought to testing. In addition, prototypes can now be demonstrated to potential customers during various military and technical exhibitions. The "premiere show" of the OTs-129 product took place at the end of May as part of the scientific and technical forum "Day of Advanced Technologies of Law Enforcement Agencies of the Russian Federation". At this event, the experienced rifle was able not only to be part of the exposition, but, as far as is known, to go to the shooting range.
Unfortunately, a significant part of the information about the OTs-129 project has not yet been specified. Nevertheless, a number of characteristics of this sample are already known, and in addition, there are photographs that allow you to study the design of the rifle and draw certain conclusions. According to reports, in terms of design, the OTs-129 is a self-loading rifle with automatic equipment based on a gas engine, built using light alloys and equipped with a silent and flameless firing device. Also, the project provides for various ideas and solutions aimed at increasing the flexibility of the use of weapons and improving its ergonomics.
A characteristic feature of the OTs-129 rifle is the use of basic parts made of light aluminum alloys. In addition, a recognizable feature of the rifle is the reduced cross-section of the receiver and forend. All this made it possible to significantly reduce the weight of the structure while maintaining sufficiently large dimensions and acceptable firing characteristics.
All the main parts of the rifle are placed inside the metal receiver. A curious feature of the OTs-129 project was the rejection of the box with a removable top cover, traditional for domestic samples. Instead, the upper part of the receiver is made in the form of a massive unit with a U-shaped cross-section, and access to the internal volumes is carried out using a removable lower part of the box. The latter serves as a cover, and also has a magazine receiving shaft, a trigger bracket and a pistol grip. It should be noted that such an architecture of rifles can be considered a novelty only for Russian samples, while abroad it is known and used for a long time.
On the front of the receiver, it is proposed to mount a forend, consisting of metal and plastic parts. It has a close-to-rectangular cross-section. In its upper part, there are three pairs of windows for air cooling of the barrel. The front cut of the forend is in contact with the gas block of the barrel. In addition to the tasks of protecting the shooter and the barrel, the forend in the OTs-129 project is used for mounting a bipod or other additional equipment.
An interesting feature of the OTs-129 rifle, which once again makes one remember about foreign developments, is the large number of Picatinny rails designed for installing additional equipment. The largest and longest "rails" are located on the upper surface of the receiver and forend, and they are made as a structural element of the corresponding units. A pair of shorter slats are located on the side surfaces of the forend. Another similar bar is placed on its bottom surface. There are also characteristic vertical grooves on the sides of the receiver above the pistol grip.
In the presented form, the rifle of a new type is equipped with a 7.62-mm long rifled barrel. According to information presented at a recent exhibition, the barrel has a chamber designed for use of rifle flangeless cartridges of type 7, 62x51 mm NATO (.308 Win). Next to the muzzle of the barrel there is a gas outlet that connects the barrel bore with the gas chamber and the piston. The muzzle is equipped with mounts for installing a large silent firing device. The type of the latter was not specified.
According to reports, the promising rifle uses a gas engine based automation. The piston chamber is located above the barrel. The bolt carrier is made in the form of a massive part with flat side surfaces. A tubular reloading handle is installed in its front part. Due to the large stroke of the bolt carrier, the handle required an additional groove in the receiver, protruding in front of the window for ejection of the sleeves. The operating principle of the shutter is unknown; probably, the most common in domestic weapons locking by turning the bolt with the help of several lugs is used. A return spring is placed behind the bolt carrier.
The OTs-129 rifle is distinguished by a fairly dense arrangement of units, and the firing mechanism was no exception. All the necessary parts are located only in the receiver and, possibly, in the pistol grip. The trigger type was not named, but the trigger type mechanism is probably used. Shooting control is carried out using a trigger, covered with a protective bracket. The non-automatic safety checkbox is displayed on the left surface of the weapon.
The weapon is designed to use standard NATO rifle cartridges. Ammunition is supplied from detachable box magazines for 10 rounds. The store presented at the recent exhibition was small in size and because of this, when installed, it almost completely went inside the receiver shaft of the receiver. In its place, the store is secured with a latch placed directly in front of the trigger guard.
A promising sniper rifle does not have standard sighting devices. At the same time, it is equipped with a standard long-length Picatinny rail, with which sights of different classes and types can be installed on weapons. The exhibition sample was shown paired with the telescopic sight of the production model. Any other product with appropriate fasteners can be used.
The OTs-129 project provides for some measures aimed at improving the usability of the weapon. The rifle is equipped with a lightweight folding stock. To reduce the size of the rifle in the stowed position, the butt is folded by turning to the right and fixed next to the receiver. The base of the butt is a tube connected directly to the hinge. In its rear part, a higher metal shoulder rest with a height-adjustable polymer butt pad is fixed. A plastic cheek, movable in a vertical plane, is installed on top of the tube.
An original pistol grip has been developed. This device has a traditional shape, but a wide washer is provided on the bottom of the device. With the help of the latter, the handle can be used as an additional stop for setting the weapon in position. In this case, the main tool for installation in the desired position is the bipod. At the exhibition, the rifle was shown with a two-legged folding bipod with spring-loaded telescopic supports. The bipod was attached to the lower forend bar. When folding, the supports had to turn back and up and fit under the forearm.
Despite the use of certain ideas and solutions, the relatively powerful cartridge and performance requirements did not significantly reduce the size of the rifle. With the stock folded and the silencer installed, the OTs-129 has a length of less than 1 m. In a state of full readiness for battle, the length of a rifle equipped with a silent firing device increases to 1, 3-1, 4 m. The weight of the rifle, depending on the type of sight used, reaches 5-6 kg. The effective firing range is declared at 800 m. The accuracy parameters were not disclosed.
The promising OTs-129 sniper rifle, developed by the Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Weapons, is not a revolutionary new development that opens new horizons in its field, but, at the same time, is a model with certain advantages and prospects. With the existing characteristics, the new product may be of interest to sniper shooters of the armed forces or other law enforcement agencies. Such weapons can be used for high-precision shooting at distances of up to several hundred meters and the destruction of enemy personnel in different circumstances.
It can also be assumed that after some modifications, the OTs-129 rifle will be able to enter the civilian weapons market. However, for this it will be necessary to change the design of some units, as well as remove other devices. For example, you will have to abandon the silencer and, possibly, modify the butt to meet the legal requirements in the field of weapon length.
The OTs-129 rifle appeared not so long ago, but has already managed to go on trials. In addition, at the end of May it was shown to representatives of potential customers. At the same time, the weapon was demonstrated both in the exhibition exposition and at the shooting range. It is quite possible that according to the results of the Forum "Day of Advanced Technologies of Law Enforcement Agencies", the leadership of the power structures will draw certain conclusions and decide the further fate of the rifle. With a positive decision, the product can be put into service and enter serial production.
For obvious reasons, the real prospects of the latest OTs-129 rifle are still in question. This weapon with equal probability can both enter service and remain at the stage of testing and promotion with the help of exhibitions. Nevertheless, already now a new type of sniper rifle is able to clearly show that the domestic industry continues to develop small arms and create promising models of various classes.
